Wire fabric



March 11, 1941. R. J. GUBA 2,234,247

WIRE FABRIC Filed Sept. 17, 1935 @-1- vce Patented Mar. 11, 1941 A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WIRE FABRIC Application September 17, 1935, Serial No. 40,898

l 3 Claims.

My invention relatesA to woven wire belts and/ or fabrics andthe method of making the same, and more particularly to belts or fabrics of the type composed of a plurality of interlocking and interlacing, helically twisted wires which are associated and arranged in the formation of such belts or fabrics. v

My present improvements are directed to a belt or fabric of the type illustrated and described in my application for patent filed December 18, 1933, Serial No. 702,969, wherein I have disclosed a belt made up of two sets of helically twisted wires in which the alternate wires are 'twisted in opposite directions on opposite sides Iof the fabric; said twisted wires being so assembled and fashioned as to render the belt incapable of running oii the drive rolls. This condition is effected by alternating the wires of one twist with those of the opposite twist on each face of the belt. Considering each face of the belt as made up of pairs of wires, one wire of each pair will be of dextrorsal twist, while the other wire of each pair is of sinistrorsal twist.

A belt of this type is oi double thickness, the dextrorsal wires being interlocked with each other and interlaced with the sinistrorsal wires, and the sinistrorsal wires are interlocked with each other and interlaced with the dextrorsal A sinistrorsal wire underlies each dextrorsal wire, and vice Versa, and a dextrorsal wire on one face of the fabric is interlaced with a sinistrorsal wire on the other face of the fabric, and vice versa.

A further object of my invention is to provide a belt or fabric of this type with means that will insure stiii'ness transversely of the same, such means being preferablyv in the form of straight Vwires disposed in interlocking bights of the re- 4i() spective pairs of dextrorsal and sinistrorsal wires,

and beingl connected to at least one marginal edge of the belt. When single connections with vthe marginal edges of the Ibelt are effected, it is preferable that the end of one wire be connected 45 to one margin and that the opposite ends of adjoining wires be connected to the opposite margin, and so on throughout the full extent of the belt. By preference, these straight, crosswires are associated with each group of bights of the respec- 50 tive interlaced dextrorsal -and sinistrorsal wires throughout the full extent of the belt.

A further object of my invention is to provide elevated selvages for the belt in order to provide means that will prevent lateral displacement of right-hand side, for instance-while at the opselvages are produced by interlocking short wires of rightand left-hand twist with the rightand left-hand twisted wires of a layer of the belt, which may be the upper layer when the belt is in use. In the present instance, one set of the short 5 sewage-forming wires of sinistrorsal or left-hand twist is shown in alignment `with and as interlocking with belt wires of sinistrorsal or lefthand twist at one margin or edge of the beltthe posite margin or edge ofthe belt, one set of the short, sewage-forming wires of dextrorsal or right-hand twist interlock with beltwires of dextrorsal or right-hand twist, with which they 1- are in alignment. These selvagcs are further -built up by interlocking with 'the iirst set of short, selvage-forming wires additional short, selvage-formingl wires of proper twist, which additional wires are in alignment with but do not 20 engage the belt-forming wires. These short, selvage-forming wires `may be said to be in pairs; one wire of each pair being interlocked with the helicesy of a belt wire of the same twist at one margin of the belt and having its ends secured 25 thereto, while the other short .wire of each pair is interlocked with the adjacent short wires and overlies a belt wire of opposite twist. The short, lselvage-iorming wires interlocking with the belt wires have their ends connected thereto, while the intermediate short, sewage-forming wires have their ends connected to the adjacent short wires with which they are interlocked. Any or allof these connections may be made by looping n the ends of the wires together, or such ends may 5 be welded, depending upon the circumstances of manufacture or the character of work to be performed by the belt. While I have shown two sets of sewage-forming wires at each edge or margin of the belt, it will be understood that higher selvages may be provided by interlocking as many sets of short wires as may be necessary to give selvages of the desired height, and that it is within the scope of my invention to provide elevated portions made of short, helically twisted wires interlocking `with the belt wires intermediate the marginal edges of the belt and extending longitudinally of the same. Additionally, I may provide the belt with transverse ridges forming flights for the lifting of articles conveyed thereby, by extending extra wires the full width of the belt and interlocking the saine with belt wires of similar twist; such ridges usually comprising a plurality of Wires which may be built up to any desired height in the same manner inwhich the selvages are formed. p While, in most instances, the elevated portionsparticularly the selvages--will be on one side or surface of the belt or fabric, it is within the scope of my invention to apply elevated selvages to both sides or surfaces of the belt. These elevated` portions, whether on one orboth surfaces of the belt, do not affect the exibility of the same. Y

These and other features of my invention are more fully set forth hereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawing, more or less diagrammatic in character, in which: v Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view, partly broken away, of a section of belt or fabric made up of helically coiled wires, with selvage-forming Wires at the marginal edges of the same, within the scope of my invention.. i

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view transversely of the 'belt or fabric.

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating a modification within the scope of my invention. y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, considerably enlarged, of a portion of the belt and one selvage of the same.

Fig. 5 is -a sectional View on the line VV, Fig. 4. Fig.6 is an edge view o-f a portion of one marginal edge of the belt, looking in the direction of thearrow a, Fig. 4, and Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary diagrammati views illustrating further modifications within the scope of my invention.

Myimproved belt is made up of a plurality of heueeuy twisted wires, some of which have a dextrorsal twist; that is to say, a right-hand twist, as indicated at I, -Whilethe others have a sinistrorsal twist; that is to say, a left-hand twist, as indicated at 2, and the main or body portion of the fabric making up the belt is substantially the same as that illustrated in my prior application before referred to.

The dextrorsal wires are interlocked with each other and interlaced with the sinistrorsal wires,

while the rsinistrorsal wires are interlocked with each other and interlaced with the dextrorsal wires. The result of this arrangement is the production of a belt of double thickness throughout its major portion, the surfaces of which belt present, alternately, sinistrorsal and dextrorsal wires. To stiffen the belt transversely, I introduce straight wires or rods 3, which pass through the bights of the several interlaced and interlocked wires. These wires may be retained in place transversely of the belt by bending one or both ends of the same in line with the belt, as indicated at 3a. By preference, one end only of each straight wire or rod is bent over, and the bentover portions are arranged alternately at each marginal edge of the belt. i

' In providing the raised margins or selvages at the edges of the belt made up of the short interlocking wires, one selvage presents on the upper surface dextrorsal Wires, and .the opposite selvage sinistrorsal Wires so that, if it be necessary that such marginal portions of the belt engage driving rolls or drums, there will be no danger of lateral displacement. e

In preparing these elevated selvages or margins, I may proceed as follows:

' At one edge or margin of the belt, more clearly shown in Fig. 5, I interlock with the helices of one set of the belt wires-in this instance, the sinistrorsal wires indicated at 2-a series ofshort wires 5 of sinistrorsal twist which may have three or four runs or helices, and these short Wires have their ends anchored at 5a to the sinistrorsal belt wires with which they are interlocked. Between the short selvage-forming wires 5, interlocked with the belt wires 2, I place other short selvageforming Wires 6, such wires 6 being interlocked with the short Wires 5, but not with the belt wires, and having their ends anchored at Batofthe short wires 5. By reason of the kfact that these groups of selvage-forming wires overlie the ends of certain of the belt wires and are interlocked therewith, the elevated margins have portions in two planes, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6; the

have-higher selvages,` other short wires of the same twist vmay be interlocked with the short wires 6 and connected therewith, and so on until a selvage of the desired height is reached. Thel helices of the short wires 6 constituting the upper plane of the elevated selvage at the opposite edge or margin of the belt extend in an opposite direction-right-hand or dextrorsal, for instanceand interlock with the alternate selvage-forming wires 5 which; in turn, are interlocked With the right-hand or dextrorsal belt Wires I. It will be understood that, while I prefer-to have the elevated marginal edges of the belt made up of short wires of opposite twist-that is to say, the Wires at one edge (either edgelfmay be of right-hand or dextrorsal twist, while the wires at the opposite edge may be of left-hand or sinistrorsal twistit is within the scope of my invention to employ short selvage-forming wires of the same twist to form the elevated margins at each edge 0f the belt. v

While, in most instances, the elevated margins or selvages will be disposed on one side or surface of the belt, it is within the scope of my invention to provide the'elevatedmargins or selvages on bothsides or surfaces `of the belt so that superposed runs of the same employed as carrying vsurfaces vwill have elevatedy margins v or selvages. Such an arrangement is illustratedA diagrammatically in Fig. 3, the elevated selvages on one side or surface being indicated at A, and those on the other side` or surface being indicated at A'.

It is also within the scope of my invention to employ the shorty helicallyptwistediwires in elevated zones longitudinally of the belt-and intermediate the edges of thesame, and such arrangement is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 7; an intermediate longitudinal zone of short wires in elevated positionbeing indicated at A2, and being built up in a manner substantially, if not exactly, Vsimilar to the manner of forming the elevated selvages; the ends of the short wires being similarly connected. A plurality of the velevated Zones may be em-ployed.

While I have illustrated and described the principal feature of my invention as comprising elevated portions lextending longitudinally of the belt at the marginal edges thereof, or at some point (or points) intermediate the marginal edges and longitudinally of the belt, it is within the scope of my invention to introduce additional wires overlying and interlocking with the belt wires and extend the same transversely the full width thereof in elevated positions and at regularly spaced intervals for the purposeof providing nights or carrying portions, particularly advantageous if the belt has inclined runs. Such arrangement is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 8 wherein the transversely arranged elevated portions are indicated at B.

The straight cross-wires or rods 3 may have one end bent at an angle, as indicated at 3, Figs. 1, 4, and 6, to prevent displacement transversely of the belt, or such ends may be bent into positive engagement and looped with an adjacent belt wire. These wires or rods may be employed with all forms of belts illustrated.

Various modifications may be made in the foregoing embodiments of my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A belt made of two sets of transversely arranged helically twisted wires one set having one twist and being nterlocked and the other set having an opposite twist and being interlocked; said sets of wires being interlaced with each other and providing selvages at each side of .the belt, and elevated selvages for said belt consisting of short helically twisted interlocking wires some of which are interlocked with the ends of a layer of belt wires and all of which are in parallel relation with respect to said belt wires.

2. A fabric comprising right and left hand coil strands; said right hand coll strands being spirally fed one into another and the left hand coil strands being spirally fed one into another, with the right and left hand coil strands interlacing with one another to prevent separation, and an elevated selvage at the edges of said fabric longitudinally of the same and transversely of the coiled strands making up the same; said selvage comprising short helically twisted wires interlocking with each other and interlocked with a layer of the fabric strands and arranged in parallel relation with respect thereto.

3. A fabric comprising right and left hand coil strands; said right hand coil strands being spirally fed one into another and the left hand coil strands being spirally fed one into another, with the right and left hand coil strands interlacing with one another to prevent separation, and an elevated portion longitudinally of said fabric and transversely of the coiled strands making up the same; said elevated portion comprising short helically twisted wires interlocking with each other and interlocked with a layer of the fabric strands and disposed in parallel relation With respect thereto.

RAYMOND J. GU'BA. 

